England Women’s head coach Stuart Barrow has unveiled a 23‑player roster to represent the nation at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection blends seasoned internationals with a handful of newcomers, reflecting the depth of talent emerging across both the English domestic competition and the Australian NRL Women’s league.
Among the debutants are four players who have never previously worn the England jersey. The most high‑profile of these is 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who starred in the NRLW Grand Final for the Sydney Roosters. Although born in Australia, Strange qualifies for England through her mother, who was born in the UK.
She will join the squad in Perth after the Roosters’ clash with the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October, adding a fresh burst of athleticism and experience from the Southern Hemisphere to the side. The other three uncapped athletes are Connie Boyd of Leeds Rhinos, Hope Millard from the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Lucie Sams of the Wigan Warriors. Boyd and Sams have been key contributors in the Women’s Super League, while Millard has impressed in the NRLW with her work rate and versatility.
Their inclusion signals Barrow’s willingness to reward form and potential, even when it comes from players who have not yet featured in an England match. All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award – the premier individual accolade in the women’s game – have secured places in the squad. Alongside them are six of their Wigan Warriors teammates, underscoring the club’s dominance this season. Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will learn the outcome of the award on 29 September, before heading to Australia the following Thursday to join their teammates for pre‑World Cup preparations.
Fran Goldthorp returns to the England fold after missing the 2022 tournament. In that previous World Cup she made four appearances and crossed the try‑line three times, showcasing her finishing ability. Goldthorp joins two other NRLW‑based English players: Georgia Roche, who plies her trade with the Newcastle Knights, and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, a forward for the Canberra Raiders.
Their involvement marks the first time that heritage players based in Australia have been incorporated into an England women’s squad, a milestone that broadens the talent pool and adds a new dimension to the team’s style of play. The newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, York Valkyrie, are represented by veteran prop Liv Wood, while the league’s top try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also earns a spot. Brown’s prolific scoring record and attacking instincts will be vital assets as England seeks to break down the robust defences they will encounter in the tournament. St Helens’ loose forward Jodie Cunningham, a stalwart who will be making her fourth World Cup appearance, is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield.
Their experience in high‑pressure matches, both domestically and internationally, adds a layer of composure to the squad’s forward pack. Leeds Rhinos have a strong representation with five players selected.
Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce are among them, highlighting the club’s successful youth development pathway. Their inclusion reflects the balance Barrow is trying to strike between seasoned campaigners and emerging talent.
Coach Barrow commented on the difficulty of the selection process: "The standard across the wider group has been outstanding throughout the season, which made the selection process incredibly challenging. At the start of the year, we set out a clear selection timeline with the players, outlining the standards, milestones and opportunities that would contribute to today's selection.
Throughout the season, we've had a number of England camps, we have travelled to France, and I've been present at all the Super Four games to assess the players in contention for selection. Narrowing our squad from 40 players to a final 23 has involved some difficult decisions, but we believe we have the right balance of experience and youth to compete on the world stage." He added, "It's also an exciting moment for the programme with the inclusion of Australian‑based heritage players for the first time.
Bringing together talent from both the NRLW and the Women's Super League gives us a unique blend of quality and experience, and we're excited to see these players come together in an England shirt. Now our focus turns to preparation.
We know the challenges that await at a World Cup, but we are travelling with a squad that believes in itself, embraces the responsibility of representing England, and is determined to make the nation proud." The full squad list reads as follows: Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Connie Boyd (Leeds Rhinos), Amelia Brown (Huddersfield Giants), Ruby Bruce (Leeds Rhinos), Mary Coleman (Wigan Warriors), Evie Cousins (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Hollie‑Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Jenna Foubister (Wigan Warriors), Fran Goldthorp (North Queensland), Eva Hunter (Wigan Warriors), Molly Jones (Wigan Warriors), Hope Millard (Canterbury Bulldogs), Lucy Murray (Leeds Rhinos), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Isabel Rowe (Wigan Warriors), Lucie Sams (Wigan Warriors), Jasmin Strange (Sydney Roosters), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Megan Williams (Wigan Warriors), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie). The Women's Super League Grand Final, which will be played at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+.
The match kicks off at 6 p.m., with a pre‑show beginning at 5 p.m. This high‑profile fixture serves as a final showcase for many of the players before they head to the World Cup, offering fans a chance to see the form‑players in action one last time on home soil. In summary, Barrow’s 23‑player roster blends proven World Cup veterans, rising stars from the domestic league, and heritage talent from the NRLW.
The mix of experience, youthful vigor, and cross‑hemisphere expertise positions England as a strong contender in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, and the team will now turn its attention to intensive training camps, tactical refinement, and building the cohesion needed to compete against the world’s best.